This week, Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA) tenth grade students had the opportunity to see the different properties of ionizing radiation and to simulate the decay of radioactive materials in their chemistry lab. In a brand new lab activity, students used the newly-purchased geiger counter and low-level radiation sources lent by the Yeshiva College physics department, as well as the inside of a smoke detector, to determine the types of material that alpha, beta and gamma radiation can penetrate. They also used large collections of pennies to simulate half lives, removing pennies that flipped over after being shaken in a box. Students were excited to see actual demonstrations of what they have been learning in Mr. Chayim Goldberg’s chemistry class.

To quote one student, “Lab makes it real. We learn about something in class, and then the next period we do it.” The students continue to look forward to the ever-expanding collection of lab activities designed by Mr. Goldberg, Mr. Chanokh Berenson and Ms. Chaya Klugmann for their chemistry, biology and earth science classes and take pride in YUHSB’s reputation as a leader in STEM education.